Oregano has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, and among those uses is the treatment of respiratory infections. Oregano oil has not been shown to be effective as a treatment for upper and lower respiratory infections, but it has gained popularity as a home remedy for these conditions.[1] Oregano oil may be taken by mouth or you can inhale it. If you want to try oregano oil to treat your respiratory infection, you should talk to your doctor first.

Steps

Method1

Easing Congestion With Oregano Oil

1

Add a few drops to a humidifier. Inhaling oregano oil with steam may also bring you some relief. If you have a humidifier, you can use it to infuse your air with moisture and the aroma of oregano oil. Just add a few drops of oregano oil to your humidifier and breathe deeply.[2]

2

Create an aromatic steam tent in your bathroom sink. If you do not have a humidifier, try filling your bathroom sink with hot water and then add a few drops of oregano oil to the water. Then, drape a towel over your head and lean over the sink. Inhale the steam and allow it to open up your nasal passages.[3]

3

Take a hot oregano bath. If you want to open up your nasal passages and clear your sinuses, then draw yourself a hot bath and then add a few drops of oregano oil to the water. Soak in the tub and inhale the steam. The oregano scented steam should help with your congestion and help to relax you as well.

4

Rub oregano oil on your chest. Combine a few drops of oregano oil with a teaspoon of base oil such as almond oil and rub it on your chest. The aroma of the oil should help to open up your nasal passages and loosen the mucus in your sinuses. Apply the oil right before bed to help open your nasal passages while you sleep.[4]

Method2

Taking Oregano Oil as a Supplement

1

Take oregano oil capsules. Look for oregano oil that contain carvacrol, which is the active ingredient in oregano oil. Take one 50 mg capsule oregano oil three times a day while you have a URI or LRI. There are a number of products that you can buy in local stores and online. Make sure that you choose a product that:

uses organic (herbicide and pesticide free) oregano oil

has been standardized to 75-85% carvacrol

uses Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), sets of rules and regulations set up by the FDA[5]

has a “Seal of Approval” from the Natural Products Association (NPA) or the US Pharmacopeia (USP)[6]

2

Mix oregano oil with olive oil. Add 2-3 drops of oregano oil to one tablespoon of olive oil and take by mouth once per day. You can also add 2-3 drops of oregano oil to food each day to get your dose of oregano oil.

Do not exceed this amount. Oregano oil can be toxic and even lethal if taken in large doses.[7]

3

Try making a tea from oregano leaves. Oregano leaf tea may also offer some medicinal benefits and it has far fewer potential side effects than the oil. If you do not want to risk the side effects that can come along with taking oregano oil, then you may want to try making some oregano tea instead.[8]

To make oregano tea, pour one cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of dry or fresh oregano leaves. Steep the tea for about five minutes. Then, use a strainer to remove the leaves from the liquid. Drink 1-3 cups per day until you recover from your respiratory infection.

Method3

Considering Risks and Benefits of Oregano Oil

1

Talk to your doctor. Before you begin to incorporate oregano oil into your regimen, make sure to talk to your doctor first.[9] If you experience any of the general symptoms of either an upper respiratory infection (URI) or a lower respiratory infection (LRI), make an appointment to see your physician. Your physician can make a diagnosis and determine if you need further treatment.

If you are diagnosed with an URI or a LRI, follow your physician’s advice and ask about incorporating oregano oil.

2

Learn about the potential side effects of oregano oil. Oregano oil is a concentrated form of oregano, so it has more side effects and it is considered “Likely Safe.” Other potential side effects of oregano oil include:[10]

upset stomach

allergic reactions

miscarriage

increased risk of bleeding

lower blood sugar levels

3

Know when to avoid oregano oil. Oregano has been shown to have adverse effects for people with certain medical conditions and allergies. Do not use oregano oil if you have an allergy or sensitivity to oregano. Oregano oil is also not advised in if you are pregnant or if you will be undergoing surgery soon. Do not use oregano oil if you:[11]

are pregnant

have a bleeding disorders

have diabetes

have an allergy to any plant in the Lamiaceae family (basil, lavender, hyssop, mint, marjoram)[12]

will be undergoing surgery in two weeks or less

4

Be aware that oregano oil may interact with lithium. Oregano oil can cause your body to eliminate fluids and this may cause the lithium blood levels to rise to unsafe amounts. Since it is important to maintain a steady, safe level of lithium while on this medication, taking oregano oil is not recommended if you are taking lithium.[13]

5

Consider how oregano oil may help. The active ingredients in oregano oil are thought to have antimicrobial properties that may help treat URIs and LRIs. These ingredients are carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol. All of these components have broad antiparasitic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Oregano oil has even been shown to be effective against intestinal parasites.[14]